Netherlands preparing for DVB-T2 switch

Dutch telecom operator KPN is preparing to switch its DTT network, Digitenne, over to the DVB-T2/HEVC (H.265) standard.
The company has not yet announced an official switch-over date from the current DVB-T standard, though messages from KPN on its users forum indicate the the preparations will begin before the end of the year.

All current Digitenne subscribers have a rental DVB-T set-top box with Conax smart card. At the moment, some 350,000 households subscribe to the service.
The Dutch public broadcasters have a DTT licence to broadcast the national and regional public channels as a free to air service.

KPN’s Digitenne holds the licence to offer a pay DTT platform offering a selection of Dutch and international public and private channels. The KPN licence was renewed in January 2017 till February 1, 2030. The new licence stipulates that KPN will have to roll out a DVB-T2 service.